Question

How can an integrated regional health information system serve to support clinics and hospitals in rural and isolated communities?

Answer 1

In general,there is agreement that robust integrated information systems are the foundation for building successful regional health care delivery systems.ingreated Advance information Management systems.

In Grangeville ,Idaho , population 3,000,syringa Hospital has just 15 beds ,an emergency room and clinic .As is common in rural medicine,the chief medical officer ,Dr . Matthew Told,is also a family practice OB and ,on a recent evening,the on - recall ER doc.

" We don't have venterlators services,we don't have respiratory therapy",told says during a break between seeing patients.

There is not intensive care unit .so when they do get a critically ill patient or trauma victism ,it s standard protocol to stabilize and transfer them two a large regional Hospital in western Montana or Spokane ,wash .but what if ICUs in those places become overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.

"The biggest challenge is living so close to a state where there are so many cases ,such as Washington,abd having that really just across the border " Told says.

Told konws that is hospital could soon be completely overwhelmed and unable to effectively treat anyone , coronavirus patients or not .

This is the story in many communities right now .but it could have an even more dire effect in isolated rural towns like this that lack the infrastructure or trained staff , especially if thy were to get sick and couldn't come to work .

Sringa is one of

Grangeville s largest employers .

"If the place that you rely on to send your critically ill patients are full ,then your are stuck ",

Says Dr.Mark Deutchman associate Dean for rural health at the University of Colorado's medical school .

Deutchman says people living in more isolated rural areas many be less at risk for contracting the virus because of the sheer lack or people large gatherings,yet the lack of resources is a perennial challenge during any public health crisis,